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Tang Luoyang

Type Object Region China Time 701–800

The Tang Eastern Capital in the Luo River basin of Henan, coequal with Western Capital Chang'an, was the empire's political, canal-transport, and rel…

Timeline

  1. 701–705Luoyang city · Central PlainsDuring Wu Zhou, Luoyang was the actual political center; palace city, imperial city, and wards spread along the Luo River, with buildings like Shangyang Palace and the Hall of Enlightenment and Hall of Heaven displaying the majesty of the Divine Capital, while national tribute converged on the region east of the passes via the Grand Canal.
  2. 713–755Luoyang city · Central PlainsEmperor Xuanzong designated Luoyang the Eastern Capital, and the emperor often resided there; Luoyang and Chang'an formed a two-capital system. Grain ships entered the city via the Yellow and Luo rivers, markets flourished, and Buddhist culture thrived around the Longmen Grottoes and White Horse Temple.
  3. 756–800Luoyang city · Central PlainsDuring the An Lushan Rebellion Luoyang changed hands several times, its palaces burned and population scattered; after the mid-Tang the Eastern Capital nominally endured but imperial visits decreased, and the court still used the Grand Canal via Luoyang to transfer Jianghuai grain taxes to supply Guanzhong.

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